Depression and obesity linked to greater likelihood of hip pain

People with depression or anxiety may experience weight gain or weight loss due to their condition or the medications that treat them. Depression and anxiety can both be associated with overeating, poor food choices, and a more sedentary lifestyle. Over time, weight gain may eventually lead to obesity.

Now in a new study conducted on the German population, scientists discovered that obesity and depressive disorder were associated with experiencing chronic hip pain.

A total of 2,515 subjects were chosen as a representative cross‐section of the German population. Each was provided with a questionnaire that included the Regional Pain Scale, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory–Primary Care and Winkler social class index.

Obesity and increased values on a depression scale were associated with a 2.55-times and 8.53-times higher likelihood of chronic hip pain, respectively, compared with individuals without pain. Increased values on the depression scale are associated with disabling chronic hip pain.